"I really enjoyed it!" said R. SUDO(Japan) soon after her performance.
She could concentrate on her performance because of the sound the piano made and the audience's good attitude.
"I want to make my technique perfect and want to play more pieces for more people." she said cheerfully, however, "I'm so sleepy". She woke up this morning at five o'clock for the first turn of today.



"It's difficult to say how the performance was just after playing. Some could be better."
A. KOBRIN (Russia) said, however he rather looked relaxed.
He is a prizewinner in competitions such as the 3rd prize in Chopin International Piano Competition (Warsaw) 2000. He loves Japan. That made him participate in this competition. "Each competition is different. This time, it is not like a real competition, chatting with the other contestants in the nice atmosphere."
"A soul, a mind, a sound and a technique get together and come to give a deep impression to the audience." said KOBRIN showing even the dignity. "There is no music without life." His life doesn't exist without music, too.


K.SOUKHOVETSKI, whose green tie is outstanding. "I am happy! I feel very happy because I am doing what I like! The bell telling me the time was the only discontentment while I was enjoying playing. Anyway it was good as a total."
This is his 2nd visit at Japan. The first was in Sendai for a competition in 1995. Since then, he has been dreaming to visit Japan to see Japan with his grown- up eyes.
He loves taking the photos. "I want to take some pictures from the top of the hotel and the ocean, too." Piano and a camera, he is such an artist always well dressed.


LEE Hyo Joo (Korea) unfortunately defaulted because of her physical condition at the Hamamatsu Competition last time. This is her 2nd participation.
"I don't know what to say just after the performance, though, it's finished!" she said.
"It's going to be my good experience to see lots of good contestants."
She is studying under Mr. J. ROUVIER, one of the jurors of this Competition in Paris. What is it like playing in the presence of her teacher in the competition?
"It doesn't matter at all as on the stage it's too light to tell who is who."


"I'm so relieved." said A. YAJIMA (Japan) shining her eyes with delight.
"I felt the tense atmosphere form the audience, which I found rather pleasant.
This competition is the biggest in Japan. I have been attending as an audience since I was young and I had an ambition to try this competition some day."
She loves all the pieces that she played today, especially ALBENIZ's Navarra which was recommended by her friend when she was looking for something splended and different with the other competitions.
PROKOFIEV is also her favorite piece, which we look forward to listen at the Final.